025175   Shailendra Kumar (Civ Engng Dep, Natn Inst of Technol, Jamshedpur-831 014) : Flexural strength of reinforced concrete beams with and without steel fibers. J Struct Engng 2006, 32(6), 455-67.

A refined and semi-empirical analytical procedure is developed for the analysis of flexural strength of singly reinforced rectangular concrete beams with and without steel fibers along with longitudinal steel bars. This design method consists of idealized flexural strain and stress distributions at failure and it accounts for the effects of fiber reinforcements on the ductility of flexural failure. Based on review of the available test data, the developed flexural design guidelines are verified to perform an analytical ultimate moment of resistance of reinforced concrete beams.

6 illus, 3 tables, 29 ref

025174   Shah S K;Pindoriya N (Electl Engng Dep, M S Univ of Baroda, Vadodra, Gujarat) : Image classification accuracy of supervised neural network with traditional statistical methods for multi-temporal remotely sensed data. J Instn Engrs-Pt ET 2006, 86(Jan), 54-60.

Traditionally, statistical procedures have been developed such as supervised, unsupervised and hybrid schemes for classifying the multi- spectral image data. ANN is a computational tool for classification as well as clustering. Multi-temporal remote sensing data are widely used instead of single date imagery for the purpose of vegetation survey, since advantage can be taken of variation in the phenology of different vegetation type. It is only possible, however, to monitor the dynamic behavior of vegetation through the seasons by having remote sensing data available on a regular basis. A comparative study of accuracy assessment in classification of multi temporal RS data of Hardoi (UP) using two approaches viz conventional statistical classifier-maximum likelihood classification (MXL.) and neural network have been presented

7 illus, 4 tables, 11 ref

025173   Sayadi A R;Monjezi M; (NO, Tarbiat Modarres Univ, Tehran, Iran) : Design and implementation of an information system for world mineral commodity market. J Mines Metals Fuels 2005, 53(11-12), 293-7,266.

Nowadays, information system is considered an important infrastructure in world mineral commodity market (WMCM). Available international web base information systems are relatively limited in number, and each of them covers only a few market variables. For certain market variables, reported data may differ slightly from one system to another. Previously in Iran, there was neither an authorized organization nor an on-line database, at all. In this research work, a powerful and comprehensive information system related to WMCM has been designed and implemented. This system, consist of 3 softwares, data storage, data analysis and web base information dissemination. These softwares may be run both in English and Persian. The database has been developed in SQL language. Over one million data of fifty mineral commodities for last 20 years has been collected from several international credible information sources. These information mostly concern to productions, consumptions, prices, imports, exports, mineral reserves and other economical factors. Compared to other databases such as USGS and BGS, a major merit of the system is the possibility of online statistical data analysis. Some other services of the system are as follows: Providing basic information needful for research projects, providing basic information related to marketing studies, on-line connection possibility with Tehran metal exchange. This system along with other available databases elaborated by national geosciences database of Iran (NGDIR), can improve public information dissemination that is very important in sustainable development of the country.

8 illus, 7 ref

025172   Saran S;Mittal S;Gosavi M (Civ Engng Dep, IIT, Roorkee-247 667) : Pseudo-static analysis of nailed vertical excavations in sands. Indian Geotech J 2005, 35(3), 401-17.

A pseudo static analysis has been presented for analyzing nailed vertical excavations in sands. Various parameters like nail length, nail diameter, surcharge, angle of internal friction of soil, limit bond stress of nail etc. have been considered. The study showed that the factor of safety in vertical excavations is maximum when nails are provided tin horizontal direction. It is also found that the change in yield stress of nails changes the factor of safety marginally. For design of nailed open vertical cuts, design tables have been given.

5 illus, 5 tables, 17 ref

025171   Sakman L E;Gucklu R;Yagiz N (Dep of Mech Engng, Istanbul Univ, 34320 Avcilar, Istanbul, Turkey) : Fuzzy logic control of vehicle suspensions with dry friction nonlinearity. Sadhana 2005, 30(5), 649-59.

Fuzzy logic-controlled {FLC) active suspensions on a nonlinear vehicle model with four degrees ot freedom have been designed and investigated, without causing any degeneration in suspension working limits. Force actuators were mounted parallel to the suspensions. In this new approach, linear combinations of the vertical velocities of the suspension ends and accelerations of the points of connection of the suspension to-the body have been used as input variables. The study clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the fuzzy logic controller for active suspension systems. Suspension working space degeneration is the most important problem in various applications. Decreasing the amplitudes of vehicle body vibrations improves ride comfort. Body bounce and pitch motion of the vehicle are presented both in time domain when travelling over a ramp-step road profile and in frequency domain. The results are compared with those of uncontrolled systems. At the end of the study, the performance and the advantage of the suggested approach and the improvement in ride comfort are discussed.

9 illus, 1 tables, 14 ref

025170   Reddy R V S;Alagusundaramoorthy P (Civ Engng Dep, GMR Inst of Technol, Rajam-532 127) : Static behaviour of contact molding GFRP composite highway bridge deck panels. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 177-81.

The main objective of the investigation was to study the behaviour of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite highway bridge deck panels under static loading. A GFRP composite bridge deck panel of 3000 mm length, 1000 mm width, and 300 mm depth was fabricated using contact moulding process. The cross section of the GFRP composite bridge deck panel was a 3-cell rectangular section with additional stiffeners connecting the web to the top flange of the deck. A rectangular patch load that represents the IRC Class A wheeled vehicle was applied at the centre of the bridge deck panel and tested under factored load upto failure. SOLID45 and SHELL93 elements were used to model the GFRP composite bridge deck panel and analyzed using the finite element analysis (FEA) software ANSYS. The maximum deflection and maximum strain at factored load and load at failure obtained from FEA were compared with experimental data and also with the specifications by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), USA. Based on the experimental and analytical studies it is concluded that the fabricated bridge deck panels satisfied the performance criteria and can be used in highways under IRC Class A loading.

5 illus, 2 tables, 14 ref

025169   Reddy N B P (Civ Engng Dep, NBKR Inst of Sci and Technol, Vidyanagar-524 413) : Convergence factors effect on non-uniform flow through porous media. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 133-8.

Flow behaviour through porous media with converging boundaries was analysed with the modified Forchheimer equation. An experimental investigation on the effect of convergence factors on the linear parameter, a and non-linear parameter, b was carried out in a convergent flow  permeameter. The influence of convergence factors on the resistance law relating friction factor (f_k) and Reynolds number (R_k) using the square root of intrinsic permeability as the characteristic length was examined. Crushed rock of sizes 3.48 mm and 4.93 mm were used as media and water as fluid, to study the variation of f_k and R_k with different ratios of the width and with convergence factors.

12 illus, 1 table, 13 ref

025168   Raval M S;Rage P P (Electron and Commun Engng Dep, Sarvajanik Coll of Engng and Technol, Dr R K Desai Marg, Athwalines, Surat-395 001) : Discrete wavelet transform based robust image protection technique. J Instn Engrs-Pt ET 2006, 86(Jan), 73-8.

The paper describes a method for the secure and robust copyright protection of digital images. An approach for embedding a digital watermark into an image using the discrete wavelet transform is presented. Consequently, methods have emerged which exploit the properties of the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to achieve robustness and perceptual transparency. Results are also presented which demonstrate the robustness of the method against some common image processing operations such as compression, rotation, scaling and aspect ratio changes.

9 illus, 2 tables, 12 ref

025167   Rao V M;Rao B P (Coll of Engng, GITAM, Visakhapatnam-530 0045) : Role of microwaves in the measurement of blood parameters. J Instn Engrs-Pt ET 2006, 86(Jan), 61-2.

The work deals with the possibilities of application of microwaves in the diagnosis of blood. When a person is suffering from any disease, there will be a change in the constituents of blood. Such a change in the constituents of blood leads to a change in the electromagnetic properties of blood from which the disease can be diagnosed. The electromagnetic properties that help in the diagnosis of blood are its dielectric constant, ionic density, collision frequency etc. The dielectric constant is chosen as the main parameter in the diagnosis of blood which in turn depends on the relative amounts of its various constituents. It has been observed that the electrolyte and protein composition in blood plasma varies with age and also varies with the type of food intake because the salts present in water vary with geographical locations. Such a variation in blood plasma leads to a change in dielectric constant of the blood. Thus the dielectric constant of blood sample from one healthy person is not the same as that from another healthy person. Thus a study of blood is undertaken in order to make an estimation of its constituents for a normal human as well as for the specific cases of disease.

1 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

025166   Ramashri T;Srinivasulu M (ECE Dep, S V U Coll of Engng, Tirupati Andhra Pradesh) : Data compression using FFT and digital filters in PCM telemetry applications. J Instn Engrs-Pt ET 2006, 86(Jan), 63-7.

The paper deals with a simulation procedure of FFT system. This system reduces required bandwidth as compared with existing communication system (Figure 1). In this system, for each channel, the sampled data is passed through the Butterworth IIR digital filler with a cutoff frequency of 2KHz, then it is applied to 8:1 multiplexer. For converting infinite response to finite response, windowing techniques (Hanning window) are applied on this data. FFT is used on this data and only PSD of the signal is transmitted. Before applying to PCM telemetry system, this data is normalised. Based on simulation, the data compression ratio of 20:7 is reached.

10 illus, 4 ref

025165   Ram Krishna Rao B;Sharma A D;Ravi Kumar Y (Def Electron Res Lab Antenna Div, , Hyderabad-500 005, Email: ad_sarma@yahoo.com) : Technique to reduce multipath GPS signals. Curr Sci 2006, 90(2), 207-11.

It is well known that multipath error is one of the major error sources affecting the positional accuracy of Global Positioning System (GPS). Although the multipath effect can be reduced by choosing sites without multipath reflectors or using proper antennas to mitigate the reflected signal, it is difficult to eliminate all multipath effects from GPS observations. Here, a technique based on vertical ground planes to effectively reduce the multipath occurring at ±5° of the horizon is presented.

5 illus, 7 ref

025164   Raghu prasad B K;Vidya Sagar R (Civ Engng Dep, Indian Inst of Sci, Bangalore-560 012) : Numerical modelling of fracture and size effect in plain concrete. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 182-7.

Computatiottal Study on size effect in tensile fracture of concrete and simulation of fracture process of plain concrete using two dimensional lattice model has been presented. A single edge notched tension (SENT) specimen is adopted and triangular lattice network is used to simulate the heterogeneous structure of plain concrete. To implement the disorder of the plain concrete medium, random variation of Young's modulus values of the elements present in the lattice is modelled considered as enough to represent a heterogeneous concrete medium. Load against crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) plots show softening behaviour of concrete. A size effect curve thus obtained from the study compares well with the experimental one.

8 illus, 2 tables, 26 ref

025163   Pathak K K;Sharma A;Shrimanth S (NO, Regional Res Lab, Bhopal-462 026) : Elasto-plastic shape optimization of a cantilever beam. J Struct Engng 2006, 32(6), 469-73.

4 illus, 9 tables, 17 ref

025162   Pani P K;Bhattacharyya S K (Civ Engng Dep, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh) : Fluid-structure interaction effects on free vibration of a veritcal rectangular lock gate using a near truncated boundary. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 187-94.

Change in natural frequencies of a lock gate structure is studied due to the fluid structure interaction effects between the gate and the reservoir using a near truncated far boundary. First of all, a relation is developed between the pressure and its gradient in the fluid, so that the far boundary of the fluid domain considered for analysis may be placed at a short distance from the gate structure. A three dimensional finite element method (FEM) with this far boundary condition is adopted for the evaluation of the dynamic pressure on the fluid structure interface. A coupled relation is developed from the equation of dynamic pressure and the dynamic equilibrium equation of the gate to obtain the modified eigenfrequencies of the gate due to its interaction with the reservoir. The fluid is assumed to be inviscid, but compressibility effects without change in density are taken into account. The effects of free surface waves and hydrostatic pressure of the fluid are neglected in the analysis. The possible closeness of the far boundary from the gate structure and influences of the thickness and aspect ratio of the gate wall on eigenfrequencies are investigated.

7 illus, 6 tables, 9 ref

025161   Pandey N D;Mohandas T;Shan H S (NO, Def Metall Res Lab, Hyderabad-500 058) : Cooling ability-based integrated quality of laser-drilled holes. Def Sci J 2006, 56(1), 93-101.

Research aimed at improving the end-product quality in meeting the functional needs is imperative to sustain product development. Aerospace manufacturers are increasingly using percussion laser drilling for producing cooling holes in turbine components made of nickel base superalloys. Laser drilling of superalloys has been initiated at the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Hyderabad in the last decade keeping in view its uses in Kaveri Gas Turbine Engine programme. Considerable work has been carried out in this direction. Laser-drilled hole's quality issue has been addressed in the past considering separately the shape, precision, and functional characteristics of the laser-drilled holes. In the investigation, a newer approach for defining hole quality has been reported which takes into account the above hole characteristics for computing cooling ability of the holes. This approach indicates that it is feasible to produce better integrated quality holes through laser drilling.

3 illus, 38 ref

025160   Pandey M;Veena S S (Mushroom Lab, Indian Inst of Horticultural Res, Bangalore- 560 089, Email: meera@iihr.kar.nic.in) : Mushroom cultivation-an appropriate technology for the rural areas. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 20-5.

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, which form a part of plant kingdom. From time immemorial, these fleshy mushrooms have been used as protein rich vegetable, flavoring agents, medicines, agents for biodegradalion, bioremediation etc. The most fascinating aspect of these fleshy fungi is their ability to colonize and degrade practically any form of lignocellulosic waste into fleshy fruit bodies (mushrooms), which are utilized for different purposes. The development of commercial domestication packages for the indoor cultivation of edible species like oyster, button, paddy straw and milky mushrooms has paved a new concept of protein from waste. Edible mushroom cultivation not only helps in the utilization of agricultural wastes but also makes it a feasible proposition for cheap home grown protein rich vegetable for the protein deficient vegetarian population of rural India. It can also be taken up as an additional income generating venture. This technology can also address the unemployment problem of rural population, and if done scientifically can be evolved into rural agro industry. The Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) left after mushroom cultivation can be converted into nutrient rich organic manure through vermicomposting which not only helps in maintaining good soil health but can be income generating too. Utilization of mushroom fungi is the most eco-friendly and efficient way of degrading many lignocellulosic wastes. The lignin rich wastes like coir fiber which is a major pollutant due to very slow natural degradation (may take years), can be degraded into nutrient rich organic manure within 1-2 months using the mushroom fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju. These kind of technologies are highly suitable for rural areas due to the availability of colossal amount of cheap agricultural waste which is either burnt or ploughed in the soil, availability of cheap labour, simplicity of technology in terms of suitability for women and does not require specialized skills, is not capital intensive and can be taken up form home to commercial scale production. This paper deals with cultivation technology of edible mushrooms standardized at Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore.

7 illus, 5 ref

025159   Panda B C (Civ Engng Dep, Indira Gandhi Inst of Technol, Sarang, Dhenkanal-759 146) : Simplified consistent load vector for non-rectangular surface traction in 3D finite element analysis. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 166-70.

In three-dimensional finite element analysis of structures, frequently non-rectangular uniform traction is encountered. During discretisation of the continuum in loading area, the elements at boundary of traction are partially covered. A specific function describing the boundary of the traction is mostly required to calculate consistent loads. From given arbitrary shape of the traction, it becomes a difficult task to find its boundary function. Even if the boundary function can be found out by approximation, the calculation of consistent load involves performing integration within variable limits. Often transformation of boundary function to other trigonometric and algebraic functions is necessary to carryout integration. To overcome these difficulties a simple approach has been proposed, in which the arbitrary shaped area of traction is mapped into equivalent rectangular area. Four types of arbitrary shaped traction with known boundary functions have been taken for analysis using 20 nodded brick elements. The results are found quite close for both original shapes and their transformed rectangular shape.

10 illus, 1 tables, 3 ref

025158   Pal R C;Prasad R (NO, The Energy and Resour Inst, Darbari Seth Block, Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003) : Ensuring livelihood through implementation of biomass technology in a village of Madhya Pradesh. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 36-41.

Biogas has often been hailed as the archetypal appropriate technology as it satisfies several criteria of appropriateness. It is a non-polluting and efficient fuel, which fulfils the basic requirement of domestic energy for applications like cooking, lighting and water healing. The technology has been widely accepted by the rural community across the country. The use of biogas improves local sanitation, eliminates health hazards and reduces adverse environmental impacts. In India the estimated potential as stated by national project on biogas development for the construction of family size biogas plants is 12 million. However, even by the end of March 2004, only 3.65 million biogas plants have been installed in various parts of the country. Central subsidy for family type biogas plants has been raised to 50 percent from the current 30 per cent, which will encourage people who are unable to install the biogas plant due to reasons affordabiltiy. The study was undertaken in Nanakhedi village situated in Obaidullaganj block of Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. The results of the study indicate that the fuel wood consumption is 0.50 kg-capita^-1 -day^-1, dungcake 1.02 kg-capita^-1-day^-1, LPG 0.015 kg-capita^-1-day^-1 and kerosene 0.1 litre-capita^-1 -day^-1. A majority of the people are involved in agriculture and cuttle rearing, and are largely dependent on locally available fuel and conventional devices. The paper examines the plainning tools and process adapted for the successful implementation of biogas through awareness generation, and backup support establishment for repair and maintenance. It also analyses the benefits in terms of fuel saving, reduction of indoor pollution, improving the yield of crops and supply of clean fuel (biogas) to households.

7 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

025157   Pakdemirli M;Yilbas B S (Dep of Mech Engng, Celal Bayar Univ, Manisa, Turkey, Email: mpak@ kfupm.edu.sa) : Entropy generation in a pipe due to non-Newtonian fluid flow: Constant viscosity case. Sadhana 2006, 31(1), 21-9.

Non-Newtonian fluid flow in a pipe system is considered and a third grade non-Newtonian fluid is employed in the analysis. The velocity and temper-ature distributions across the pipe are presented. Entropy generation number due to heat transfer and fluid friction is formulated. The influences of non-Newtonian parameter and Brinkman number on entropy generation number are examined. It is found that increasing the non-Newtonian parameter reduces the fluid friction in the region close to the pipe wall. This in turn results in low entropy generation with increasing non-Newtonian parameter. Increasing Brinkman number enhances the fluid friction and heat transfer rates; in which case, entropy number increases with increasing Brinkman number.

7 illus, 13 ref

025156   Ozalp A A (Mech Engng Dep, Uludag Univ, 16059, Bursa, Turkey, Email: aozalp@uludag.edu.tr) : Numerical analysis of choked converging nozzle flows with surface roughness and heat flux conditions. Sadhana 2006, 31(1), 31-46.

Choked converging nozzle flow and heat transfer characteristics are numerically investigated by means of a recent computational model that integrates the axisymmetric continuity, state, momentum and energy equations. To predict the combined effects of nozzle geometry, friction and heat transfer rates, analyses are conducted with sufficiently wide ranges of covergence half angle, surface rough-ness and heat flux conditions. Numerical findings show that inlet Mach and Nusselt numbers decrease up to 23.1% and 15.8% with surface heat flux and by 15.13% and 4.8% due to surface roughness. Considering each convergence half angle case individually results in a linear relation between nozzle discharge coefficients and exit Reynolds numbers with similar slopes. Heat flux implementation, by decreas-ing the shear stress values, lowers the risks due to wear hazards at upstream sections of flow walls; however the final 10% downstream nozzle portion is determined to be quite critical, where shear stress attains the highest magnitudes. Heat transfer rates are seen to increase in the streamwise direction up to 2.7 times; however high convergence half angles, heat flux and surface roughness conditions lower inlet Nusselt numbers by 70%, 15.8% and 4.8% respectively.

6 illus, 17 ref

025155   Mukherjee S;Pal A K (Dep of Solid St Phys, Indian Ass for the Cultivation of Sci, Jadavpur, Kolkata-700 032) : EPR and other allied studies on sol-gel derived Fe₂O₃ nanocrystalj in SiO₂ glass matrix. Indian J Cryogenics 2003, 28(4), 127-31.

Monolithic silica glasses doped with 1 mol% (Fe1) and 10 mol% (Fe10) Fe₂O₃ concentrations have been successfully prepared by sol-gel method and calcined at some selected temperatures in the temperature region 400°C-1000°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies of Fe10 calcined samples at 700°, 800°, 900° and 1000°C have revealed the presence of both α-Fe₂O₃ and γ-Fe₂O₃ nanocrystals having mean diameters in the 7-15 nm range, nanocrystals having larger sizes at higher calcination temperatures. X-band EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) studies have indicated the likely occurrence of superparamagnetism and ferromagnetism in both Fe1 and Fe10 systems at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures respectively. Analysis of room temperature Mossbauer spectra of Fe10 system calcined at 700°C have exhibited a doublet structure signifying the presence of a superparamagnetic component of Fe₂O₃. Sample calcined at 800°C shows a hyperfine sextet in addition to a doublet and that calcined at 900°C a doublet as well as two sextets and that calcined at 1000°C shows two sextets only. Sextets confirm the ferrojmagnetic character of both α- and γ- nanocrystals present in the silica matrix at higher calcination temperatures.

3 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

025154   Mohapatra D;Mishra D;Mishra S P;Chaudhury G R;Das R P (NO, Regional Res Lab, Bhubaneswar-751 013) : Adsorption of fluoride using naturally occurring oxide minerals. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 12-16.

Fluoride adsorption studies were carried out using various oxide ores such as refractory grade bauxite, feed bauxite, manganese dioxide and hydrated oxide of manganese ores. The refractory grade bauxite showed promising results. Equilibrium time was found to be 2 hours. The efficiency of adsorption increased with increase of pH till 5.5 and on further increase it showed a negative trend. The adsorption isotherm followed both Langmuir and Freundlich Models.

6 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

025153   Mishra S S (Civ Engng Dep, North East Regional Inst of Sci and Technol, Nirjuli-791 109) : An application of state space method to flutter analysis of long span cable stayed bridge. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 159-65.

A modern theory for the flutter analysis of long span cable supported bridges has been presented. An advance aerodynamic model based on finite element has been taken which can handle both flutter and buffeting analysis in the time domain. The unsteady self-excited aerodynamic forces are considered through rational function approximation of the flutter derivatives. The aerodynamic coupling effect on flutter phenomenon is considered. The three-degree freedom equation of motion in time domain is expressed in frequency- independent modal coordinates 'state-space' format. The frequencies, damping ratios and complex mode shapes (at certain wind velocity) and the critical flutter conditions are determined by solving a complex eigenvalue problem. Flutter conditions can be established without iterative solution because the equation of motion turns frequency independent.

6 illus, 1 table, 30 ref

025152   Meenakshi;Maheshwari R C (NO, Cent lor Rur Dev and Technol Indian Inst of Technol, New Delhi-110 016, Email: rcm_iitd@yahoo.co.in) : Arsenic removal from groundwater. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 9-11.

Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a serious problem due to its toxicity. Arsenic levels above permissible limit of 50 ppb in ground water have been reported from many parts of the world including eight districts of West Bengal, India. Millions of people are suffering from ill effects of excess arsenic intake. Chronic arsenic poisoning is manifested by various cancerous and non-cancerous disorders. Arsenic occurs in underground water as arsenate, As (V) and arsenite, As (III) forms. The former is less toxic and easily removable. Removal of arsenite from water is possible only after oxidation to arsenate by any of the available treatment technologies, which is not feasible for small water utilities. A variety of technologies such as coagulation-precipitation, lime softening, ion exchange resins, adsorption with activated alumina and reverse osmosis have been used for the removal of arsenic from water but all these technologies suffer from one or the other drawback. Therefore a new adsorbent material has been developed in the laboratory and batch studies were conducted for both arsenate and arsenite. The results depicted that this adsorbent is highly selective, effective for removal of both arsenate and arsenite forms, works under wide pH range and produces nonleachable residue. It can remove upto 98 of both arsenate and arsenite from water and is about six times more effective than activated alumina.

2 illus, 14 ref

025151   Mahadev W S;Mishra D;Nandi T K;Chaterjee A K (NO, Birla Inst of Technol, Mesra, Ranchi-835 215) : Development of a LOX/GH₂ propulsion system. Indian J Cryogenics 2003, 28(1), 17-24.

Cryogenic rocket propulsion using liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen offers about 30% higher Specific Impulse (I ) compared to its counterpart using the best earth-storable liquid propellants. This is mainly due to the high combustion temperature and the low molecular weight of the combustion products. Obviously, the most viable option tor ambitious missions, including placing of a satellite in geo-synchronous orbit or making an interplanetary voyage is the use of cryogenic propulsion system in space vehicles. In this paper, a brief introduction on oryogenic propellants with its thermo-physical properties and the specific problems associated with their use as rocket propeilants have been discussed. Department of Space Engineering and Rocketry at BIT, Ranchi is actively engaged in research activities related to the field of rocket propulsion since its inception in 1964. A Project has been undertaken to develop a Cryogenic Propulsion System in the Department under Special Assistance Program (SAP) of UGC. Under the scope of the Project, a small cryogenic rocket engine with a nominal thrust of 50-kgf is being developed. It has been planned to use liquid oxygen and gaseous hydrogen as propellants for the developmental phase of the cryogenic propulsion systenm.This paper highlights the basic design approach of the engine, including the thrust chamber, the nozzle, the injector, and the cooling system. A brief schematic of the set-up for static test of the engine has also been presented.

3 illus, 4 tables, 10 ref

025150   Lahiri S;Dasgupta R;Soni R;Murthy M V R L (Regional Res Lab, (CSIR), Bhopal-462 026) : Ushering rural economic development through small scale food processing - an experiment. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 42-5.

Rural poverty is a multi-dimensional problem due to complex factors, both personal and societal. In an agriculture-based country like India, improved methods of agriculture and activities based on agriculture can only free the rural population from the clutches of poverty. In this context small-scale food processing and preservation have a vital role to play in boosting the rural economy. The experiences of the concept of developing a Common Facility Center for the same have been exhaustively discussed. The experiment was undertaken under the aegis of UNDP funded project in which ten blocks of a state in India were chosen for using science and technology as a tool for rural transformation. This knowledge was translated into the formation of a Technology Management Package (TMP), which gives an exhaustive guideline on how to implement small-scale food processing units in the rural areas.

2 ref

025149   Kumar P (NO, , 2B/26/10, Bhilai, Chattisgarh-490 006) : Self-compacting concrete: methods of testing and design. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 145-50.

Nowadays, the performance required for concrete structures is more complicated and diversified. The concrete is required to have properties like high fluidity, self-comparability, high strength, high durability, better serviceability and long service life of concrete structures. Self-compactability is desirable to attain rationalised and labour saving effects in manufacturing and placing of concrete. Self-compacting concrete (SCC) is a highly engineered concrete that addresses these requirements. It was developed around 1988 in Japan, to improve the durability of concrete structures. The early stage deteriorations of concrete structures are a result of the manual placing and the inadequate consolidation. Therefore, the need for the development of concrete with high fluidity and no segregation was felt. The history of self compacting concretet development and its basic principle, different testing methods to test high-flowability, resistance against segregation, and passibility have been dealt with. Different mix design methods using a variety of materials has been discussed, as the characteristics of materials and the mix proportion influences self-compactability to a great extent, also its applications and its practical acceptance at jobsite and its future prospects have also been discussed.

10 illus, 2 tables, 15 ref

025148   Krishnamoorthy;Saumil P (Civ Engng Dep, Manipal Inst of Technol, Manipal-576 104) : Analysis of a space frame structure with sliding supports. J Struct Engng 2006, 32(6), 431-7.

A space frame structure resting on sliding type of bearing and subjected to ground acceleration is analysed considering all the six degrees of freedom of the structure at each node. The analysis consists of two phases, a sliding phase and non-sliding phase. In non-sliding phase the horizontal stiffness of sliding bearing is considered as very large whereas it is equal to zero during sliding phase. A step by step Newmark's method is adopted for the solution of dynamic equations of equilibrium. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by analysing a four storey symmetric space frame structure and a vertical offset space frame structure with equal storey height subjected to a ground acceleration corresponding to sinusoidal motion and El Centro earthquake.

6 illus, 10 ref

025147   Khuntia S (Regional Res Lab, (CSIR), Bhubaneswar-751 013, Email: skhuntia@rrlbhu.res.in) : Development of biomass fired drier for multiple applications. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 17-19.

High cost of drying in any oil tired or electric operated drier is not economic for drying of less valued materials, for which a large quantity of rural produces go waste without proper drying and preservation. The biomass fired multipurpose drier, a unique development of Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar is highly effective for drying of various materials irrespective of high moisture content. It operates by biomass, agricultural wastes, fossil fuels etc, without using electricity. Nearly 80% of heat energy of the biomass is utilized for clean air-drying in a close temperature gradient inside the drier. The downdraft integrated heating unit, the novel part of the drier, burn the fuels completely without smoke and transfer maximum heat energy indirectly from the hot flue gas to the drying materials, in order to preserve the quality and aroma of the materials ana for faster drying and reduce heating cost. Complete combustion and high rate of heat transfer helps to achieve high thermal efficiency. The integrated heating unit is also utilized for drying of various industrial products.

2 illus, 1 table, 2 ref

025146   Kaushik H B;Rai D C (Civ Engng Dep, IIT Kanpur, Kanpur-208 016) : An insight into the flexibility of light beam-to-column connections. J Instn Engrs-Pt CI 2006, 86(Feb), 171-6.

In steel design practice, the structural frames are usually designed to either simple or rigid design methods. The choice is governed by the degree of moment fixity provided by the typical beam-to-column connection details that are used. In the simple design method, the connections are assumed to be pin-jointed for analysis, capable of transferring only shear from beams to columns, whereas in the rigid design method, connections are assumed to develop full moment fixity. Two light connections: a simple shear resisting and a moment resisting, were experimentally tested to study their force-deformation behaviour. The test results shown that in reality, the connections do not behave as completely flexible or completely fixed; real behaviour falls in between. Although a light shear resisting connection, using two bolts in beam web, behaved more or less like a pinned connection, the performance of moment resisting connection, achieved by welding the beam flanges to the column flanges and connecting the beam web with column flange using two bolts, was very much different from the expected behaviour of a fixed connection.

12 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

025145   Kanoria S (NO, Indian Infrastructure Equipment Ltd., Kolkata) : Innovative route of financing of mining equipment. J Mines Metals Fuels 2005, 53(11-12), 279-80.

025144   Joyson K R;Chatterjee A;Munshi S (Electl Engng Dep, Jadavpur Univ, Kolkata-700 032) : A heuristics based mismatch introduction in Smith predictors. J Instn Engrs-Pt ET 2006, 86(Jan), 37-43.

Heuristic based tuning methodology for Smith predictors employed in dead-time compensation type controllers has been suggested. The empirical rules are found to work satisfactory when the process being controlled has a sigmoidal reactive curve. Deviation of the step response from this nature makes the rule ineffective.

12 illus, 3 tables, 17 ref

025143   Jaafar M S;Thanoon W A;Noorzaei J (Civ Engng Dep, Univ of Putra Malaysia, Malaysia) : Seismic response of large arch dam subjected to multiple support excitation. J Struct Engng 2006, 32(6), 413-19.

The study deals with the application of a specially developed 3-D finite element code for the analysis of a large double curvature arch dam, called Liro arch dam. The paper highlights the effect of the vertical contraction joints modeling on the structural behavior of the arch dam. In study the interface element was formulated to model the contraction joints between vertical blocks of the dam. Initially the analysis of the dam was carried out under static loading (only self-weight) followed by the seismic analysis of the dam subjected to the multiple support earthquake excitation. The structural behavior of the dam in terms of accelerations, displacements and stresses are discussed.

9 illus, 13 ref

025142   Handley M F (Min Engng Dep, Univ of Pretoria, Pretoria-0002, Republic of South Africa, Email: matthew.handly@up.ac.za) : Mining industry in RSA-a synoptic view. J Mines Metals Fuels 2005, 53(11-12), 267-78.

17 illus, 6 ref

025141   Halder G N;Sarkar S C (Advd Cent of Cryogenic Res, P.O. Jadavpur Univ, Kolkata-700 032) : Prospects of ozone friendly refrigeration systems. Indian J Cryogenics 2003, 28(2), 51-4.

There is wide-spread anxiety over the consequence of long-used Chlorofluorinated refrigerants (i.e. chlorofluorocarbons) and other anthropogenic gases an the stratospheric ozone. The ozone layer is a region of the atmosphere from 19 to 48 Km above the earth's surface, which protects the environment from harmful ultra violet radiation. This ozone layer is getting deteriorated due to leakage of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) gas from the conventional refrigeration systems. The chtorine radical destroys ozone molecules to the tune of 1,00,000 per CFC molecules. Destruction of the ozone layer is found to cause increase in penetration of UV rays, increase in skin cancer, damage to certain crops, plankton and the marine food-web. In this regard, the exploration for proper alternative refrigerants and the relevant refrigeration cycle having zero ozone depletion potential is the need of the hour as "Montreal Protocol" in 1987 and Vinna Conference" in 1995, have recommended the phase-out of CFCs by 2010 A.D.

1 table, 8 ref

025140   Goley V B;Dakshina Murthy B;Sadananda Upadhya K;Guhaprasad N (NO, Def Avionics Res Establ, Bangalore-560 075) : Design qualification of an external store for a fighter aircraft. Def Sci J 2006, 56(1), 103-13.

Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) has designed and developed an external store for fitment on a fighter aircraft. The external store has the poded structure and can be used for installation of a variety of payloads up to 250 kg. The mechanical details of the electronics to be fitted inside the pod can be worked out as per application. The pod has been designed keeping this in mind and based on the functional, mechanical, structural, and aerodynamic requirements. The designed and fabricated pod has undergone various qualification tests. Details of the pod design, and the various structural and environmental qualification tests carried out has been presented. The pod thus designed and qualified has been validated through carriage trials by fitting the pod on the platform intended for it. The pod is likely to be inducted into the Services shortly.

9 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

025139   Ericsson M; (NO, Raw Mater Grp (RMG), Stockholm, Sweden) : Minerals based sustainable development-one viable alternative. J Mines Metals Fuels 2005, 53(11-12), 281-8.

3 illus, 32 ref

025138   Dwivedi A K;Bhargava P;Bhandari N M (Civ Engng Dep, Engng Coll, Kota, Rajasthan) : Effect of non-linear temperature distributions in concrete box girder bridges. J Struct Engng 2006, 32(6), 421-30.

The important environmental parameters affecting the temperature distributions in a bridge structure include daily range of ambient air temperatures, solar radiation, humidity, cloud covers, wind speed etc. Effective bridge temperature and differential temperatures over the depth are the temperature related aspects to be considered in the bridge design. Solar radiation causes the temperature of the bridge deck to rise but, since concrete is a poor conductor of heat, lower portion of the bridge experiences a less heat gain. Severe non-linear temperature gradients are developed through cross-section of a bridge superstructure due to material properties and changing boundary conditions with time. These gradients are often considered in a simplified manner in the design of most concrete bridges that may lead to structural behavior problems. The stresses induced in a bridge structure due to environmental thermal loads are of comparable magnitude with the other loading conditions. The paper presents a finite element analysis to predict the non-linear temperature distributions and their response in concrete box girder bridges, which takes into consideration the various meteorological, environmental, and other bridge parameters. The proposed model has been validated against the results obtained by an experimental program on a laboratory model of concrete box-girder bridge exposed to solar radiation.

4 illus, 5 tables, 15 ref

025137   Deshmukh S K;Meghre A S (NO, Coll of Engg. and Technol, Akola-444 104) : A conforming curved quadrilateral thin plate element for analysis of arbitrarily shaped plates. J Struct Engng 2006, 32(6), 439-45.

This paper presents a sixteen degrees of freedom conforming curved quadrilateral plate element. It is based on Love-Kirchhoff thin plate theory and is useful for analysing arbitrarily shaped plates. The approach consists of mapping entire plate in a parent 2 x 2ξ, η domain using twelve geometry nodes on plate boundaries. The discretisation of plate into elements is achieved by lines of constant ξ and η mapped on actual plate. The element has four nodes and each node is associated with four displacement parameters - a transverse displacement and three displacement derivatives referred to global curvilinear ξ, η coordinates. Shape functions based on products of cubic Hermites are used for displacement variation over plate region. Numerical integration is adopted for evaluation of stiffness matrix and load vector. Results of solved examples show good agreement with the available results.

8 illus, 4 tables, 19 ref

025136   Dash R C;Swain S;Goel A K (NO, Coll of Agric Engng and Technol OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Email: ramadash@rediffmail.com ) : A simple and low cost drill for sowing of small seeds. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 26-31.

Sowing is the art of placing right quantity of seed at right depth of soil and at right interval for optimum germination and yield. It becomes extremely difficult to place correct quantity of small seeds (whose test weight less than 15 gm) at desired depth of soil manually due to small size of the seeds. On the other hand, line sowing of small seeds like mustard, jute and sesamum etc. is very much desirable to save seed, reduce cost of sowing and weeding. In broadcasting method of sowing, seeds are either exposed on the soil or eaten away by birds and moreover, plant to plant and row to row distance is not maintained. Therefore, a simple two-row manually drawn multi-crop drill for small seeds was developed and evaluated in the laboratory and field condition. The developed drill had only two modular units but additional units could be easily attached to it. It was tested for both mustard and jute in the laboratory and only for mustard in the field. Overall performance of the developed drill was found to be satisfactory in laboratory condition for both the crops. It required only 4 kg of mustard seed to sow one hectare of land at desired depth and row spacing. The developed drill required only 8.0 kg of draft for its operation, which was within the capacity of an average man. Seed distribution efficiency and field efficiency of the developed drill were 84.3 and 67.0 percent respectively. One hectare of land could be sown by this drill only in 13 hours with a net saving of Rs. 410.00 per hectare in comparison to traditional method of sowing behind the plough.

2 illus, 4 tables, 3 ref

025135   Das F C (Agric Engng Div, Cent Rice Res Inst, Cuttack-753 006, Email: crrictc@ori.nic.in) : CRRI drum seeder for sowing pregerminated paddy seeds in puddled field. J rur Technol 2005, 2(1), 32-5.

Transplanting of paddy is generally preferred over dry sowing of seeds due to severe problem of weeds. However the transplanting operation is labour intensive and there is scarcity of labour during peak of the season. As an alternative some farmers broadcast pregerminated paddy seeds in puddled field. In broadcast seeding method the manual weeding increase the cost of production. Many research organizations have developed seed drills for line seeding in puddled field. At Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Cuttack a few design of seed drills for wet seeding have been developed. An improved 6 row drum seeder has been recently designed which reduce the seed rate by 60-70% as compared to broadcast seeding. The cost of operation including weeding is reduced by 75% as compared to manual transplanting. The crop is harvested one week earlier and it gives yield with 5-10% variation as compared to transplanting. The drum seeder gives 15% more net profit than transplanling.

2 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

025134   Dalvi R S;Bhosale S S;Pise P J (Civ Engng Dep, Pune Inst of Engng and Technol, Shivajinagar, Pune-411 005) : Analysis of passive earth pressure - catenary arch in soil. Indian Geotech J 2005, 35(3), 388-400.

Arching is a universal phenomenon which involves transfer of pressure from the yielding part of soil to the adjoining part. Catenary arch rising upward is considered to study effect of arching on the passive earth pressure condition. The rotation of principal stresses gives wall pressure σ_h instead of σ₁. For fully developed friction the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress at the wall is derived. This ratio is K_w. It is only due to catenary arch shape. An illustrative example has been solved to show the effect on earth pressure distribution on retaining wall considering arching and without it. It is noted that pressure distribution diagrams considering arching effect and coulomb are triangular in nature. For all δ-values, at any depth the Coulomb's pressue is more than that as predicted by considering arcing effects. The difference depends on d- values. It increases with increase in δ-value.

6 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

025133   Chillar R;Agrawal S C (Sardar, Patel Coll of Engng, Mumbai-400 058) : Cryogenic treatment of metal parts. Indian J Cryogenics 2003, 28(1), 25-33.

Treatment of metal parts made of materials like mild steel, cast iron, copper and brass has been carried out under various, cryogenic conditions and various mechanical properties of these materials have been measured. Encouraging results on the usefulness of cryogenic treatment have been obtained and reported in the present communication.

6 ref

025132   Chakraborty A;Sanyal S;Konar A (Electron & Telecommun Engng Dep, Jadavpur Univ, Kolkata-700 032) : Fuzzy-temporal extension of classical logic and its stability analysis. J Instn Engrs-Pt ET 2006, 86(Jan), 50-3.

Paper provides a novel scheme for fuzzo temporal extension of positional and default logic in order to reason with complex real time systems suffering from imprecision of data and rules. The proposed fuzzi temporal extensions have been represented fuzzy time-difference state equations. An analysis of stability for the fuzzy temporal state equations has been undertaken in the paper by using Liapunov energy functions. The results of the anafysis follow the intuitively derived fixed points of the classical logic. The scope of application of stability analysis of the extended fuzzy logic in random walk problem of a mobile robot has been illustrated.

3 illus, 7 ref

025131   Bundel H R;Navathe C P;Naik P A;Gupta P D (Laser Plasma Div, Raja Ramanna Cent for Advd Technol, Indore 452013, Email: bundel@cat.ernet.in) : Control and analysis software for a laser scanning microdensitometer. Sadhana 2006, 31(1), 61-8.

A PC-based control software and data acquisition system is devel-oped for an existing commercial microdensitometer (Biomed make model No. SL-2D/1D UV/VIS) to facilitate scanning and analysis of X-ray films. The software is developed in Labview, which includes operation of the microdensitometer in ID and 2D scans and analysis of spatial or spectral data on X-ray films, such as optical density, intensity and wavelength. It provides a user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) to analyse the scanned data and also store the analysed data/image in popular formats like data in Excel and images in jpeg. It has also on-line cali-bration facility with standard optical density tablets. The control software and data acquisition system is simple, inexpensive and versatile.

5 illus, 2 ref

025130   Boyaci H (Dep of Mech Engng, Celal Bayar Univ, 45140 Muradiye-Manisa, Turkey, Email: hakan.boyaci@ bayar.edu.tr) : Vibrations of stretched damped beams under non-ideal boundary conditions. Sadhana 2006, 31(1), 1-8.

Simply supported damped Euler-Bernoulli beam with immovable end conditions are considered. The concept of non-ideal boundary conditions is applied to the beam problem. In accordance, the boundaries are assumed to allow small deflections and moments. Approximate analytical solution of the problem is found using the method of multiple scales, a perturbation technique.

2 illus, 1 table, 9 ref

025129   Bose P K (Chem Engg. Dep, Jadavpur Univ, West Bengal) : A little bit of oxygen. Indian J Cryogenics 2003, 28(2), 44-6.

Prior to 1959, oxygen plant capacity in the country was limited to few small oxygen plants. There were fatal incidents in the hospitals/nursing homes due to lack of medical oxygen supply, particularly during strikes. Since 1959, there has been a massive build up of oxygen plant capacity due to process use and the capacity is likely to exceed 30,000 Ts/day O₂/N₂ as on Jan 2003 AD. It is a shame. that even now, new bom babies are dying due to lack of medical oxygen supply/services. Recommends that a "Status Report on the problems and prospects of medical gas supply" should be taken up by DST on a priority basis. UGC and AICTE should also promote cryogenic education and training programmes in the country for greater awareness.

3 ref

025128   Biswas K (NO, Cent for Military Airworthiness & Certification, Bangalore-560 037) : Airworthiness approval of design firms. Def Sci J 2006, 56(1), 39-46.

Aviation as a mode of transportation requires that the aircraft designed, developed, and operated must be maintained under airworthy condition. The basic tenet of airworthiness is that the aircraft designed and developed are certified by the independent airworthiness regulatory organisations. This requires strict vigil during the development stages. With quantum jump in the design and development activities, it has been extremely difficult for the regulatory bodies to cope up with the demand of certification. Delegating this responsibility to a few approved firms prove very effective in maintaining the design control through approved agencies and personnel. Airworthiness approval of design firms taken up by the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification, Bangalore, which is the airworthiness approval authority for military aircraft in India, is one such step. Discusses the scope and extent of such approvals.

1 table, 6 ref

025127   Bhowmick T;Heijer R D (NO, Stirling Cryogenics India Pvt. Ltd., 14. Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110 001) : Stirling cryogenerator-its recent developments and applications. Indian J Cryogenics 2003, 28(1), .

In 1816 Robert Stirling, a minister of the church at Scotland, was granted a patent on an air engine with an "economizer". This technology was subsequently adapted by Philips to develop its first commercially applicable Striling Cryogenerator in 1955. Since then the system has undergone significant technical upgradation keeping pace with the change of technology in Stirling Cryogenics & Refrigeration BV, The Netherlands who has taken over the activity from Philips in 1992. At the same time, beginning its application as a Liquid Nitrogen Production plant, the Stirling Cryogenerator is now being used in a number of custom built applications, designed and implemented by Stirling Cryogenics & Refrigeration BV.

4 illus, 1 photo 1 ref

025126   Bhowmick S K (NO, Advd Numerical Res & Analysis Grp, Hyderabad-500 058) : Three-D MCM technology for miniaturisation of an electronic system. Def Sci J 2006, 56(1), 47-52.

Miniaturisation of a bulky system requires effective use and integration of modern packaging technology to achieve smaller size and lighter weight while consuming low power and achieving high speed. Using three-dimensional packaging technology, a system can be miniaturised to a small package popularly known as system-in-a-package (SIP). Various layers of component integration (die or packaged) in the horizontal and vertical directions lead to a compact system in a single package. The development of an analog multi-chip module (MCM) is illustrated using 3-D technology. The major goals achieved using this technology are the mixed-signal integration, area/size reduction, and low power. A comparison is made with the system-on-a-chip (SOC) technology and their merits and demerits are also discussed.

6 illus, 6 ref